Stormwater fee opponents waiting for campaign promises to be kept

File photoBrian Surgener of Jackson Coffee Co. has sued the city of Jackson over its stormwater fee.

JACKSON, MI -- Residents and business owners have noticed that newly elected Jackson City Council members have not yet kept campaign promises to repeal or reduce the city's stormwater fee.

At least twice since the new council members took office in December audience members at Jackson City Council meetings have publicly asked about the campaign promises. John Wilson and Craig Radala asked the question without getting a public response.

"When you become a politician, you have the right to weigh all the factors and hear the evidence and decide what you think is best," Surgener said. "I understand that. That's a good politician, to listen to the evidence and decide what you think."

Surgener disputed Griffin's argument that the city cannot take action because it would hamper the city's case in court.

"The court has not issued an order that would prevent either party from settling or negotiating or any agreement for reduced fees, or the city doing it on its own," Surgener said.

The business owner said he wants the city to put the fee on the ballot. "You can always issue a new tax under the Headlee Amendment by just putting it before the voters," he said.